Rotating Fastener for Receptacle Liner Security

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing fasteners for securing flexible liners around waste receptacles are ineffective, expensive, difficult to use, and not reusable, leading to issues like fluid leakage and unsanitary conditions, especially when extreme loads are applied.

Innovation Solution

A fastener with a body having a 'T' shape, featuring legs and a rotation handle that utilizes the liner's resiliency to create a torquing force for secure engagement with the receptacle, allowing easy installation and removal, and is designed to work with various receptacle sizes without interfering with the top or being aesthetically appealing.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If a flexible liner is used in a waste receptacle, then waste disposal is easy and sanitary, but the liner may become loose and allow fluid leakage under extreme loads

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliner securityVSAvoidfluid leakage

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener is installed on the receptacle rim before the liner is placed, creating a pre-positioned securing mechanism that immediately grips the liner's folded edge upon installation, preventing any loose condition from developing

Inventive Principle:

Principle #10Preliminary action

Solution Approach 2:

The fastener acts as an intermediary device between the receptacle rim and the liner edge, providing a mechanical connection that distributes load and prevents fluid leakage without requiring the liner to be tightly fitted

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Reliability

If known fastening apparatus are used to secure the liner, then the liner can be held in position, but the apparatus are difficult to use and not reusable

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliner positioningVSAvoidfastener usability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The fastener incorporates a rotatable body that transitions from an unlocked state during installation to a locked state during use, providing dynamic operation that is simple for the user while ensuring reliable liner positioning

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The fastener is designed to be removed from the receptacle rim after use and reused on the next liner installation, eliminating the need for disposable fasteners and reducing operational costs

Inventive Principle:

Principle #34Discarding and recovering

3Adaptability or versatility

If the liner is made large to fit various receptacles, then versatility is improved, but the liner fits loosely and extends outwardly

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvereceptacle compatibilityVSAvoidliner fit

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening function is extracted from the liner itself and implemented as a separate receptacle-mounted device, allowing the liner to be any size while maintaining proper fit through the external fastening mechanism

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

4Reliability

If a fastening apparatus is integrated with the receptacle, then the liner can be securely held, but the receptacle cannot be reused with different liners

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveliner securityVSAvoidreceptacle reusability

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The fastening system is segmented into a receptacle-mounted component and a removable fastener, allowing the receptacle to be used with multiple different liners while maintaining secure liner positioning through the separate fastening device

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The fastener effectively secures flexible liners in place under various load conditions, preventing leakage and maintaining sanitation, while being cost-effective and easy to use with multiple receptacle sizes, and can be easily removed and reused.

Implementation Method 1

A fastener with a body having a 'T' shape, featuring legs and a rotation handle that utilizes the liner's resiliency to create a torquing force for secure engagement with the receptacle

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectTorque: Torque

Data Source

PatentUS11807408B2Device for releasably securing a flexible liner about the rim of a supporting receptacle and a method therefore

Publication Date: 2023.11.07 ORR KIRK

AI summary

A fastener for releasably securing a flexible liner about a peripheral rim of a supporting receptacle has a generally planar body with a first leg and an interconnected second leg defining an inwardly tapered elongated space therebetween. An offset and elongated rotation handle carried at one end portion of the body opposite the first and second legs facilitates rotating the body axially about an axis of rotation to wind a portion of an edge portion of the flexible liner about the first and second legs, and a portion of the rotation handle releasably engages with the tensioned flexible liner to prevent the unwinding of the flexible liner.